Gwinnett Place Mall opened its doors during a period of rapid growth in Gwinnett, and many long-time residents have fond memories of the mall. Unfortunately, the mall did not withstand economic and consumer shifts and today sits mostly vacant at the heart of an area known across the country for its rich diversity and vibrancy.

Given the property’s central location and proximity to Interstate 85 and other Gwinnett County destinations, the Gwinnett Place Mall property has tremendous potential for redevelopment. Gwinnett County aims to bring catalytic change not only to the mall property but also the surrounding area in creating new opportunities and positive impact for Gwinnett residents and existing businesses.

Gwinnett County’s sustainable approach to redevelopment also ensures optimal land use in dense, established commercial areas, ultimately improving the delivery of essential services to residents and existing businesses. The eventual redevelopment will improve property values and economic activity in the area, creating the potential for significant County property and sales tax growth.

Since the Urban Redevelopment Agency of Gwinnett County’s initial 2021 purchase of a 39-acre portion of Gwinnett Place Mall, the County has conducted two extensive public input studies and announced a partnership with CBRE, a real estate services firm with global expertise, to assist with the advancement of this transformative project and with optimizing the opportunities on this site.

The redevelopment of the Gwinnett Place Mall site is in alignment with and furthers the goals and priorities of the County’s 2045 Unified Plan, which in part aim to foster inclusive and equitable economic growth within Gwinnett.

• 2018: County acquires 10 acres of the 90-acre Gwinnett Place Mall property in connection with the transit center and, later, an additional 4.4 acres from a former movie theater property for potential future stormwater mitigation
• December 2020: County announces purchase of 39 acres of the Gwinnett Place Mall site as part of a strategic effort by Gwinnett’s government to create new opportunities for catalytic development in the area in partnership with the Gwinnett Place CID and local property owners.
• September 2021: County begins seeking input from community stakeholders to understand their vision for the mall area and begins compiling emerging themes to inform its redevelopment plan
• August 2022: Board of Commissioners adopts the Gwinnett Place Mall Equitable Redevelopment Plan
• February 2023: Board of Commissioners adopts the Gwinnett Place Mall Revitalization Strategy, developed in partnership between Gwinnett County, the Gwinnett Place Community Improvement District and the Atlanta Regional Commission through its Livable Centers Initiative program, which proposes the Global Villages concept
• September 2024: Board of Commissioners approves the Urban Redevelopment Agency of Gwinnett County’s purchase of the Macy’s sites at Gwinnett Place Mall, totaling 23 acres

What’s next? The County anticipates opening its search for a development partner by the first quarter of 2025, with more details about the project’s timeline to come as the selected developer’s plans take shape.